Mining apparatus



March 27, 1928. f

Eignj.

1,664,386 M. P. HOLMES MINING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 5, 1924 MW mi@ .4. 596061 Patented Mar. 27, 1928.

UNITED 'STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MORRIS P. HOLMES, OF CLABEMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MINING APPARATUS.

Application ined selitember My invention relates to mining apparatus.

An object oi my `invention is to provide an improved mining` apparatus and more particularly to provide a wheeled mining apparatus adapted to operate while mounted on a trackway. Another object of my invention is to provide a mining machine transport and cutting truck of an in'iproved construction. Still another object ot' my invention is to provide an improved mining machine transport and cutting truck having improved tflriving means therefor whereby the same may be driven at 4different speeds directly from the mining machine feeding r meclninism. A. still turther object of my invention is to provide an improved mining machine transport and cutting truck having improved means for swinging the cutting mechanism whereby the same may be swung at di'lierent speeds directly from the minin@r machine feeding mechanism. A still further object ot my invention is to provide an improved mining machine transport and cutting` truck having reverse mechanisn'i thereon and improved cutter bar` swinging mechanism Wlwreby the truck may be driven and the bar swung in opposite directions relative to a trackway at fast or slow speeds directly from the mining machine `feeding mechanism. A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved transport and cuttingl truck to which a unitary mining machine is adapted to be secured, thereby permitting the mining machine to cut on the track and wherein the mining machine may he bodily removed from the truck and cut on the mine bottom in accordance with the long .wall system of cutting. These and other objects and advantages of my invention will, however, hereinafter morel fully appear.

In the accon'ipanying drawings I have shown 'lor purposes of illustration one form which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partially in central vertical longitudinal section, ot' my improved truck with a unitary mining machine secured thereto adapted to operate as a mounted cutter.

Fig. 2 is a plan View, partially in section, ot the machine shown in Fig. 1, the cutter bar being shown in a plurality of positions.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of a por- 5, 1924. Serial No. 736,153'. i

tion of my improved truck driving mechamsm.

Fig. 4 Vis a detail sectional view through one of the frictional feed controlling devices.

In the illustrated Yform of my invention I have provided a truck frame 1 provided with axle boxes 2 in which axles 3 are journaled, to which axles wheels 4C are suitably secured being adapted to move relative to a trackn way 5. A cylindrical guiding plate 6 is suit` ably secured to the `frame l and is provided with an inwardly projecting flange 7 forming a groove in which an annular gib 8 is disposed. The Gib 8 is formed on a swivel housing and maciine supporting frame member 9.' A guiding trame 10 is suitably secured, as at 11, to the housing`9. The guiding frame l() is adapted to receive a selff propelled flexibly fed unitary mining mau chine generally designated 12 of the general type described and claimed in my copending application Ser. No. 619,839, filed Feb. 19, 1923, the mining machine being of the longwall type adapted to slide on its own bottom on the mine bottom and having an elongated frame'which consists of a feed frame section 13, a motor section 14 and a cutter frame section 15, the frame sections 13, 14 and 15 being secured together .in any suitable manner. 'Herein it will be noted that the frame sections 13, 14 and 15 presentparallel plane surfaces 16 and 17 upon which the mining machine lis selectively adapted to slide during cutting, that is, when the machine is being used as an under cutter or is inverted and used as an over cutter. The cuttin frame section 15 also carries a cutter bar 18 pivoted thereon, as at 19, on a vertical axis and provided with an endless cutter bit carrying cutter chain 20 Which is adapted to be circulated about the outer edges of the cutter bar in a well known manner when driven through suitable power connections (not shown) from the driving motor. The cutter bar 18 is as shown herein also adapted to be swung or slued about its pivot 19 into opposite lateral positions relative to the machine frame and at right angles thereto or into alinement with the longitudinal axis oi the machine frame and as shown herein is also adapted to be locked in these positions by means ot' a rotatable pin 21 adapted to register with suitably located notches 22 formed in the flanged portion of the cutting frame goo 15. The plane surface 16 of the mining machine frame is detachably secured as by bolts 23 to the housing 9. 1t will herein be noted that the machine may be inverted and the plane surface 17 secured .to the housing 9 in a similar manner when it is desired to vary the plane of the cutter bar.

A feed operating member or sprocket 24 is also herein suitably journaled on a longitudinally extending horizontal axis on the rear end of the feed frame section 13 and adapt-ed to cooperatewith a. flexible feed chain 25, indicated by chain lines in Fig. 2, during slu'ing of the cutter bar 18 about its lpivot 19 or to feed the machine bodily on the mine bottom when the machine is removed from the truck and acting as a longwall critter'. 'The feed sprocket 24 is herein, as in my previously mentioned application, adapted to be driven at a slow or cutting speedthrough one train of mechanism l(not shown) under the control of a frictional controlling. device of the disc clutch type,

kgenerally designated 26 and through another train (not shown) at a fast speed in the opposite directionunder the control of a similar friction controlling device, generally designated 27, these controlling devices 26 and 27 forming a part of the feeding mechanism of the mining machine mentionedv above and being adapted to operate alternatively as described in my copending application under control of a controlling member or hand wheel 28 disposed at the rear end of the frame section 13. Each of these frictional controlling devices comprises a longitudinally extending driving shaft 29 provided with a pinion 30 which meshes with an internal gear 31 formed on the friction housing ymember 32. Friction discs 33 are secured to the housing member 32 and to a member 34 secured, as lby a key 35, to a.

shaft 36 which drives the feed operating member 24. The friction clutch is adapted to be controlled lby an operating member 37 which is adapted'to be actuated through suitable mechanism by means of the hand .wheel 28.

In my improved construction it will be observed that an annular member 38 is snitably secured to, by means of a bolt connection 39, and rotatable with the feed sprocket 24 and that this member 33 is provided with internal Vclutch teeth 40 adapted to cooperate with external clutch teeth 41 formed on a longitudinally extending horizontal shaft 42 journaled in bearings 43 suitably secured to .the guiding frame 10. The shaft 42 has secured thereto .at its rear end, a spur pinion 44 which meshes with a spur gear 45 suitably secured to an elongated longitudinally extending shaft 46 disposed parallel with the shaft 42 and journaled in bearings 47 and 48 carried by the guiding fra-me Y10 and housing 9, respectively. A bevel pinion 49 is adapted to be connected with the shaft 46 by means of a sliding jaw clutch 5() and this pinion meshes with a. large bevel gear 5l which is rigidly secured as by bolts 52 to a part of the truck frame l. The shaft 4G is provided with a reduced portion 53 which extends within the housing 9 aml has loosely journaled thereon a pair of bevel gears` 54 which are adapted to be selectively connecied to the shait 46 by means of a sliding jaw clutch 55 and are adapted to driv a bevel gear in opposite directions at the will olI the operator. The gear 5G is secured to a vertically disposed shaft 5T journaled in a bearing 5S and disposed coaxially with thc axis of the swivel housing E) and has secured thereto Aat its lower end a bevel gear 5S) which constantly meshes with a bevel gear G0 suitably Isecured to the longitudinally cxtending shaft (31 suitably journaled in a bearing 62 carried by the truck trame l. The shaft G1 has secured thereto at itsl l`orward end a bevel gear G3 which meshes with a bevel gear 64 suitably secured lo the front 'axle 3 of the truck. 'lhe jaw clutches 50 and are provided with operating cranks` (35 and GG to which longitmlinally extending operating rods GS and 65) are suitably cured and which are adapted to be actuated by means of hand levers TH and Tl pivotcd adjacent the rear end ofA the guiding frame 10.

In the use, of my in'iprovcd mining apparatus it` will be observed that the truck may be driven relative to the trackway 5 at a fast or at a slow speed in opposite direcV tions directly from the mining machine -feeding mechanism per se under the control ol` the feed controlling friclional devices :lo and 2T and may be also driven in reverse of these directions by means ot the reverse gears 54 and the controlling` clutch 55.` any desired variance, of these .speeds o1" course also being obtainable. lt will also be noted that the clutch may be thrown out imo its inoperative position and the clutch 5() thrown in, thus rotating the bevel pinion A1f) relative to the4 stationary bevel `ear 5l cansn ing the machine and consequently the cutter bar to be bodily swivelcd relative to the tracliway at a slow or cutting .speed in one direction and at a fast speed in the opposite direction, likewise under the control ot the frictional controlling devices 2G and 2T. lt will also further be noted that it desired the feed chain 25 may be secured to the cutter bar and the bar swung into either oll the. lateral positions as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. It will also be noted that by means of the reverse gears 54 the truck may be driven in either direction relative` to the tracltway at either a 'tast or at. a .slow Ispeed. l t desired -a suitable skid, not shown, may bc placed in front of the truck and the bolts` 23 may be removed, permitting the machine lo llul llo

be unloaded from the truck and to operate on its own bottom on the mine bottom selec tively as an under cutter or an over cutter and in accordance with the longwall system of mining.

While I have in this application specifical` ly described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing `from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a mining appaiatus, arwlieeled truck frame, `a .mining machine having opposed plane surfaces upon which it is disposable an d which are constructed to constitute skid 1surfaces to `support the machine for sliding movement during cutting, said machine being constructed to cut when sliding directly upon a mine bottom on either ofsucli surfaces, and means to swivel such machine relative to said frame from said machine when the latter is disposed in either position on said frame. y i i 2. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck frame, a mining machine swivelly mounted thereon and operable to cut in different horizontal planes when supported in inverted positions, and selfecontaiiied means to swivel said machine relative to said frame from said machine when Athe latter is disposed in either position.

3. In a mining apparatus, a truck :frame having ruiming gear, a mining machine having opposed plane surfaces upon which it is disposable and constructed to cut when sliding directly upon the mine bottom on either of such surfaces, and means to swivel such machine relative to said frame and to propel said running gear both from said machine when the latter is disposed in either position on said frame.

4. In a mining apparatus, a truck frame having running gear, a mining machine swivelly mounted thereon, said machine being of the type adapted to slide on the mine bottom during cutting and haviiiga `plurality of surfaces each adapted to support the machine and which are constructed to constitute skid surfaces upon which themacliine may slide during cutting, said machine further having provision whereby it may cut in different planes when supported on said different surfaces, and means to swivel said machine relative to said frame from said machine when the latter is disposed on said truck frame on any of said surfaces.

5. In a mining apparatus, a truck frame having running gear, a mining machine swivelly mounted thereon, said machine being of the type adapted to slide on the mine bottom during cutting and. having a plurality of surfaces each adapted to support the machine and which are constructed to constitute skid surfaces upon which the 1iiachine may slide during cutting, said machine further having provision whereby it may cut in different planes when supported on said different surfaces, and means to swivel said machine relative to said frame from said machine when the latter is disposed on said truck with any of said surfaces in a horizontal plane.

(i. In a mining apparatus, a truck frame having running gear, a mining machine swivelly mounted thereon, said machine being of the type adapted to slide on the mine bottoni during cutting and having a plurality of surfaces each adapted to support the machin. and further having provision whereby it may cut iii different planes when supported on said different surfaces, and means to drive said running gear from said machine when the latter is disposed on said truck frame on any of said surfaces.

7. In a mining apparatus, a truck frame having running geaiga mining machine swivelly mounted thereon, said machine being of the type adapted to slide on the mine bottom during cutting and having a plurality of surfaces each adapted to support the machine and further having provision whereby it may cut iii different planes when supported on said different surfaces, and means to drive said ruiming gear from said machine when the latter is disposed `on said truck with any of said surfaces in a horizontal plane.

8. In a mining apparatus, a truck frame having ruiming gear, a. mining machine swivelly mounted thereon, said machine being of the type adapted to slide on the mine bottom during cutting and having a plurality of surfaces each adapted to support the machine and further having provision whereby it may cut in different planes when supported on said different surfaces, and means to swivel said machine relative to said frame and to propel said ruiming gear from suidmachine when the latter is dis posed on said truck frame on any of said surfaces. y

9. In a mining apparatus, a truck frame having ruiming gear, a mining machine swivelly mounted thereon; said machine beting of the type adapted to slide on the mine bottom during cutting and having a plurality of.siii-i'aces each adapted to support the machine and further having provision whereby it may cut in different planes when supported on said different surfaces, and means to swivel said machine relative to said frame and to propel said ruiming gear from said machine when the latter is disposed on said truck with any of said surfaces in a. horizontal plane.

1,0. In a mining apparatus, a` truck having loV titl

y' perpendicular. to said lirst mentioned axis;

ing a shaft. rotatable on said vertical axis,

and: driving gearing for said'` shaft including a. shaittv extending radially relative to said axisandl moving withl said trame on pivotal movement of the latter on`r the vertical axis.

1l'. Ina mining apparatus, a truck having running gear, an elongated mining machine receiving trame pivoted on said truck for movement upon a vertical axis, driving gearing for said running gear on said truck and` includingl a shaft rotatable on said vertical axis, and driving gearing tor said shaft -including a shaft extending longitudinallyr of said frame.

152. In a mining apparatus, a truck having running gear, av mining machine receiving frame pivoted onV said truck for swing.- ing movement upon a vertical axis, a gear element mounted ony said. truck with its center in said axis, av shatt rotatable on an axis and-rotatable in bearings stationary relative to said frame, agear coaxial with and rotatable with said shaft and engaging said gearV element, and means for cltecting rotation ot said shaft.

E3. In a mining apparatus, a truclr having running gear, an elongated mining ma.- chine receiving ytrame pivoted: on said truck for swinging movement upon a vertical. axis.v a gear' element mounted on said truck with itscenter in said axis, a shaft rotatable on an axis extending' longitudinally ot said frame and rota-table in bea-rings stationary relative to saidf trame`v a gear on and rotatable with' said shaft and engagingA said gear element, and means for effecting rotation of said shaft.

1:4. In. a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck frame, a mining machine swivelly mounted; thereon operable to cut'. in different planes toy which the axis of swiveling is perpendicular when supported in inverted posi tions, and means to swivel said machine rela.- tive to said iframe from said machine at either a predetermined cutting speed or at' a predetermined' 'tast speed' when disposed in either position.

lf'nA 1n a mining` apparatus, a wheeled truck. frame, a mining machine sivivelly mounted thereon operableto cut in diticrent planes to which the axis of swiveling is perpendicular when supportedin inverted positions, and. means t-.o swivelv said: machine relative tov said trame trom said: machine at ditterent speeds in opposite directions wher disposed'in either position.

16;.ltn' a: mining' apparatus, a wheeled truck: trama. a mining machine having feed'- ing mechanism swivelly mountedithereon operable: to cut in; ditierent planes to` which Lacasse the axis of sWivelingv is perpendicularwhen: supportedv iir inverted positions, means for propelling said truck trame and to swivel saidy machine relative` to said truclc trame from said mining machine feeding mecha-` nism at ditlerent speeds when disposed'l in either position.

17.111 a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck frame, a mining machine swivelly mounted thereon operable to cut in: ditterent. planes to'which the axis' et swiveling is perpendicular when supported in inverted Dositions, means to swivel said machine relative to said! trame from said machine at dit'- t'erent speeds in opposite directions when said machine is disposed in` either position, andv means to reverse said truck at. any speed'.

18; :En av mining apparatus, a wheeled truck trame, a self-contained mining machine having Jfeeding. mechanism and swivel'- ly mounted as a wholeon said truck trame and operable to cut in ditierent planes when supported in inverted positions, and means tor selectively propelling said. truck frame and to swivel said machine relative to. said truck trame trom said t'eeding meclmnism. at ditlercnt speeds, including imlepmidently operableclutches, when saidl machine is disposed in either positiom 19.111 a mining apparatus.. a wheeled truck frame. a eelt-contained mining ma chine provided withA a tast and slow .speed feeding mechanism.- and Africtional: controh ling means 'tor each feed, said mining machine being swivelly mount-ed as a whole on saidtruck iramc and operable to cut'` at ditiierent planes when supported inI inverted positions, and' means to swivel said! machine relative to said: trame from .said feeding mechanism at either spccd andi variants thereoti when disposed in either position.

20; ln a mining apparatus, :r wheeled truck trame', a seit-contained mining machinelprovided with a. feed operating member journaled on a longitudinally extending axis swivelly mounted on said truck trame. andimcanstofswivel saidamachine relative to sai'df Atirame/ including tram-mission mechanism detachably comici-tallc-to said tced operating member.

2l. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck frame, a seltlcontaincd mining machine provided with a teed operating' member. journalcd. on a longitudinally extending axis swivelly mounted on .said truck trame. andy means to swivel .said machine relative tosaidi frame including zr transmission means clutched to said feed operating member.

2Q. ln a n'iini'ngl apparatus, a wheeled truck trame, a unitary mining machine providedf with tred operating member disposed on: the longitudinallav extending horizontal axisl ot the machine. and means to .swivel said machine relative to saidf truck 'trame llt) lll

lli

including transmission means driven from. said feed operating member.

23. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck frame, a unitary mining `machine pro` vided with fast and slow speed feeding mechanism swivelly mounted on said frame and dismountahle therefrom for cutting' on the mine bottom, and means to swivel said machine relative to said truck frame .incliniing transmission means driven from said feeding mechanism.

24. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck frame. a unitary mining machine hori- Zontally swingable thereon about a vertical axis and having slow feed mechanism, and swinging and truck driving mechanism d riven by said feeding mechanism including a transmission shaft arranged coaxial With said axis.

2f'. In a mining apparatus, a Wheeled truck frame, a. unitary mining machine horizontally swingable thereon about a vertical axis and having slow feed mechanism, and swinging and truck driving mechanism driv en hy said feeding mechanism .including a transmission shaft and cooperating gearing arranged coaxial with said axis.

26. In a mining apparatus, a truck frame, a unitary mining machine horizontally swingable thereon and having slow feed mechanism, and swinging and truck driving mechanism driven by said feed mechanism including a stationary bevel gear and a transmission shaft arranged coaxial with the machine axis.

27. In a mining apparatus, a truck fame, a unitary mining machine horizontally swingable thereon having slow feeding mechanism, and swinging and truck driving mechanism driven by said feeding mechanism including transmission mechanism having an element fixed to said truck and a shaft arranged coaxial with the machine axis.

28. In a mining apparatus.` a portable frame having a turntable and mechanism for eli'ecting swinging movement thereof, a mining machine having opposed plane surfaces upon which it is disposable and constructed to cut when sliding directly upon the mine bottom upon either of such surfaces, and means to connect said niaehine in driving relation to said swinging mechanism Awhen. said machine is disposed in either position on said frame.

29. In a mining apparatus, a truck frame having running gear, a mining machine siviveliy mounted thereon and having dilfer ent surfaces on which it may be supported during ope "ation and operable to cut in different planes When supported on saiddiiferent surfaces, and self-contained means to swivel said machine relative to said frame actuatable by said machine when the latter is disposed upon said frame on any of said surfaces.

30. In a mining apparatus, a truck frame having running gear and swivel niiechanism, a mining machine having different surfaces on which it may he supported during operation and operable to cnt in different planes when supported on said different surfaces, and means to connect said machine in driving relation to said running gear to effect truck propulsion and to said swivel mechanism to effect swivelling upon the truck frame when said machine is disposed upon said truck frame with any of such surfaces in contact with said frame.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

MORRIS P. HOLMES. 

